Live on BBC1: Fri 17.00: Ladbrokes rate Italy at 13/2 to net twice without replay against Costa Rica in World Cup Group D.
Having won their respective opening fixtures in Group D, Italy and Costa Rica will both be in high spirits as they prepare to face off in Recife. For the Italians, an encouraging if not entirely unlikely triumph over England has set them on the path to qualification but Los Ticos should be in even higher spirits after defying the odds to register a richly-deserved 3-1 triumph against Uruguay.
The Central American outfit however, will have to spring another surprise if they are to double their points tally, BetVictor rating them as 13/2 outsiders in the Arena Pernambuco, where Cesare Prandelli’s troops will kick-off as bet365’s 8/15 favourites.
Paddy Power post 10/3 against a stalemate, a wager that might appeal to those that tipped Mexico to earn a share of the spoils against hosts Brazil and a goalless affair is an 11/1 chance at Ladbrokes.
However, Italy should ultimately be too crafty for the Costa Ricans, especially with the peerless Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings and they look decent value at 6/4 (Skybet) to prevail ‘to nil’.
Alternatively, Ladbrokes chalk them up at 13/2 to notch twice without reply and it’s 4/1 (Winner.com) for Mario Balotelli to put the Italians 1-0 up.
Recommended Bets:
Italy to beat Costa Rica 2-0 – 13/2 (Ladbrokes)
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